Sam Allardyce puts timescale on return of Everton’s James McCarthy

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James McCarthy has been sidelined at Everton since January 20.

Everton midfielder James McCarthy could be set to return ahead of pre-season in the summer after Toffees boss Sam Allardyce gave an update on the Irishman’s fitness when speaking to the club’s official website.

McCarthy, 27, had been sidelined for much of the season with a long-term hamstring injury before returning to action at the end of December, only to last three weeks on the pitch before suffering another problem.

Challenging West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon for the ball, McCarthy got his body in between player and ball only for Rondon to shoot for goal and instead connect with McCarthy’s leg – breaking his tibia and fibula.

It saw the former Wigan and Hamilton midfielder suffer another desperate injury and Allardyce has confirmed that he will miss the rest of the season but could return before pre-season, in what will be a boost to Everton’s 2018-19 season.

“It is down to the specialist and them saying if and when James can start moving forward,” Allardyce said. “The specialist will guide us on how far we can go and with a bit of luck we can look forward to James starting the next pre-season with us.

“He has had some time back at home. He will probably rejoin us in the next few days on a regular basis to start getting some mobility into his ankle, particularly because it has been in a set position for such a long time.”

McCarthy had impressed following his return to the side and instantly reasserted himself as one of the first-choice central midfielders in Allardyce’s side, despite plenty of competition in the middle of the park at Goodison Park.

But fans are sure to be frustrated as Allardyce confirmed what many had already expected – that McCarthy would not appear again this season.

The likes of Idrissa Gueye, Tom Davies and Wayne Rooney are expected to combine in midfield in McCarthy’s absence on Saturday, as Everton travel to Turf Moor to face Sean Dyche’s Burnley.